Powering the future battlefield: Army’s new 6.8mm ammo facility to produce millions of rounds annually
The United States Army has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its small arms capabilities with the construction of a new 6.8mm ammunition production facility at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. This initiative is a critical part of the Army's broader effort to modernize its weaponry, particularly through the introduction of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program.
A New Era in Small Arms Ammunition Production
On February 5, the Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition officially broke ground on the new facility. According to Army officials, the project is expected to be completed by 2026 and fully operational by 2028. The facility will ensure a steady supply of 6.8mm cartridges, which are designed for the new XM5 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle, set to replace the long-serving M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) respectively.
Enhancing Combat Effectiveness with the 6.8mm Round
The introduction of the 6.8mm caliber is a crucial development in infantry firepower. This new round offers the range and impact of the 7.62mm cartridge while maintaining a lighter weight and improved accuracy. The Next Generation Squad Weapon, chambered for this round, is poised to significantly enhance the lethality and effectiveness of soldiers in close combat scenarios.
Historical Significance of Lake City Army Ammunition Plant
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant has been a cornerstone of U.S. military ammunition production since 1941. It has played a pivotal role in supplying small arms ammunition, including 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50 Browning Machine Gun rounds, and 20mm ammunition, to the Army and other branches of the military. During the height of the post-9/11 conflicts, from 2007 to 2018, the plant produced nearly 1.4 billion rounds, highlighting its essential contribution to national defense.
Production Capabilities and Industry Support
Once operational, the new facility will span 450,000 square feet and incorporate advanced manufacturing systems for cartridge cases, projectiles, and packaging. Quality control measures, testing laboratories, and packaging operations will ensure that the ammunition meets the highest standards. Ammunition manufacturer Olin Winchester will oversee operations at the facility, with regional industries in Kansas City, Missouri, supporting an estimated 90% of the work.
The production targets are ambitious. The facility is expected to produce approximately:
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385 million cartridge cases annually,
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490 million projectiles annually,
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385 million loading and packaging operations rounds annually.
Fielding the Next Generation Squad Weapon
The fielding of the Next Generation Squad Weapon is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025, with multiple Army and special operations units receiving the new system. The rollout will be phased across various units:
October – December 2025:
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Army Reserve’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
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Elements of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
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The Army’s Ordnance School at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia.
January – March 2026:
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3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
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1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.
April – June 2026:
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1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.
July – September 2026:
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1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division with the Minnesota Army National Guard.
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Multiple battalions of the 10th Mountain Division.
Testing and Performance Evaluations
The NGSW program has undergone rigorous testing to validate its capabilities in real-world combat scenarios. In October 2024, the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division conducted live-fire exercises with the new weapons. These soldiers executed tactical patrols, live-fire drills under limited visibility conditions, and squad-level engagements to assess the performance of the new system.
According to Maj. Craig Hymel, battalion executive officer, these exercises were crucial in collecting data for the final operational assessment. “The squad live fire will be the last event in conjunction with the stress shoot that participants execute,” Hymel explained. “At that point, the Operational Assessment Team will collect and finalize all the data.”
Strategic Implications of the New Facility
This new production facility represents a major leap forward in ensuring a secure and consistent supply of advanced ammunition for U.S. forces. The ability to domestically produce the 6.8mm rounds at scale will reduce dependency on external manufacturers and streamline logistics for combat units deploying the Next Generation Squad Weapon.
Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, program executive officer for armaments and ammunition, emphasized the strategic importance of this endeavor. “It is not lost on me that victory on the battlefield begins in our production facilities,” Reim stated. “Lake City has been central to our nation’s ammunition production since 1941, and this new facility builds on that proud and historic legacy.”
Conclusion
As the U.S. Army continues to modernize its infantry weapons, the new 6.8mm ammunition production facility at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant will play a vital role in equipping soldiers with cutting-edge capabilities. With production set to ramp up in the coming years, this facility underscores the Army’s commitment to enhancing battlefield effectiveness and maintaining technological superiority in small arms warfare. The transition from legacy 5.56mm rounds to the more capable 6.8mm cartridge marks a significant evolution in firepower, promising a more lethal, accurate, and adaptable force for future conflicts.
